No matter how hard he tries, R&B superstar R. Kelly cannot stay away from controversy. There's the long-delayed child pornography trial, the public rift with Jay-Z over "The Best of Both Worlds" tour, troubles with Keyshia Cole and the termination of Ne-Yo's contract during his current tour and now this - the very public split from his longtime publicist and her industry powerhouse retailer husband.

Publicist Regina Daniels and her husband, Chicago retailer George Daniels have publicly distanced themselves from the reclusive superstar, after a longtime association. Regina issued a statement this month that read:

"Friends and Colleagues – After careful consideration and counsel, I have decided to formally announce my resignation as publicist for R&B artist R. Kelly.

My resignation was effective as of August 28, 2007. Throughout the course of my 25 years as a publicist, I have prided myself on loyalty, respect and professionalism. It saddens me that I was not always shown those same courtesies during my 14-year tenure as Mr. Kelly's publicist.

Though I have a great appreciation for Mr. Kelly as an artist, there are some lines that should never be crossed professionally or personally. Mr. Kelly crossed a line that forever altered the scope of our relationship. For this reason I made the decision to resign.

My husband, music retailer George Daniels, has also disassociated himself from Mr. Kelly."

This came as a surprise to industry insiders familiar with the long and loyal relationship the Daniels' have had with Kelly. George Daniels is a Chicago retailer, considered the Godfather of the Chicago music scene. His store, George's Music Room, is a staple in the city.  Regina Daniels was once Whitney Houston's publicist during the most fruitful part of Houston's career.

After this stunning announcement, Internet speculation has settled on Kelly's alleged relationship with Regina's 19-year-old stepdaughter as being the cause of the rift. Bossip.com acquired a photo of the young woman in an embrace with Kelly. While the photo proves nothing, EURweb.com's Lee Bailey spoke to both Daniels's recently.

"I’m still not going to comment on R. Kelly. I’ve said all I have to say,” Regina Daniels told Bailey. George Daniels had more to say: "Bottom line is [R. Kelly] crossed a certain line with me and my wife that you shouldn't cross," he told Bailey. " I respect his talent. You can't deny he's a talented person. But beyond that, everything else is just gone."

"[Kelly] never put his hand on Regina, or nothing like that," Daniels continued. He acknowledged the Internet speculation by telling Bailey, "I'm aware of that, too. No comment."